Djokovic had been 0-5 in Cincinnati finales, while Federer fell to 7-1 lifetime in W&S championship matches. The crowd mostly pulled for Djokovic as, in a match of well-liked players, local fans apparently just wanted Djokovic to finally hoist the tournament's Rookwood Cup trophy.

Shortly after winning, Djokovic jumped up and down several times and pumped a fist in the air.

"It's a very special moment to stand here and hold this trophy for the first time in Cincinnati," a smiling Djokovic said during the post-match ceremony, as the crowd chanted "No-vak! No-vak!"

A packed house was treated to a true heavyweight title bout between future Hall of Famers Federer (Switzerland) and Djokovic (Serbia). Federer owns a men's record 20 Grand Slam singles titles, and Djokovic has won 13 Grand Slam championships.

"He's a great champion and one of the best to ever play the game," Djokovic said of the 37-year-old Federer.

The 31-year-old Djokovic could well have been speaking about himself, and Sunday was a typically tight battle between the tennis giants.

Djokovic now leads Federer 24-22 in their career head-to-head matches, but their W&S Open history had included an 0-3 record for Djokovic against Federer in Cincinnati finals. Their most recent W&S title meeting was in 2015.

"Congratulations to Novak on winning it today," Federer said. "This was not good enough. It's OK. Good week, but I'm happy it's over and I need to rest. So, it's all good."

MATCH WATCH: Federer tried to push the pace more, holding a 24-12 edge in "total winners" points. Still, Federer generally was not sharp and it cost him. Federer made 28 unforced errors, Djokovic just 15. That included 13 unforced forehand errors by Federer, to just four by Djokovic.

In the first set, Djokovic broke Federer for a 4-3 lead and then held serve for a 5-3 edge. Djokovic won the set 6-4 when Federer slammed a return into the net.

In the second set, Djokovic rallied from love-40 to break Federer and take a 4-3 lead. The crowd truly swung to Djokovic then, with more "No-vak! No-vak!" chants. Federer might be hearing that in his sleep for a while.

Djokovic held serve for a 5-3 lead but Federer would not go quietly, holding serve to make it 5-4. Djokovic then served out the match and the crowd gave him a standing ovation. The always gracious Federer smiled and shook hands at the net with his conqueror.

Federer struggled in trying to return some of Djokovic's lasers from the backcourt, making only 51 percent on the "returns in play" category. Djokovic conversely scored 66 percent in that department, traditionally a strong point of his game.

"It was definitely not my best day on the return," Federer said. "It was just awful. He served well. Whatever. But missing every second serve on the forehand side, I don't know what that was about. But, look, I don't even want to look for reasons why it happened. I just think it did. Novak totally deserved to win today."

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Novak Djokovic kisses the Western & Southern Open Men's finals trophy after defeating defeating Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, in the final at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Sunday. Albert Cesare/The Enquirer

Novak Djokovic lifts the Western & Southern Open Men's finals trophy after defeating defeating Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, in the final at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Sunday. Albert Cesare/The Enquirer

Novak Djokovic lifts the Western & Southern Open Men's finals trophy after defeating defeating Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, in the final at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Sunday. Albert Cesare/The Enquirer

Roger Federer wipes his forehead after winning a game against Novak Djokovic during the Western & Southern Open Men's finals match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Sunday. Albert Cesare/The Enquirer

Simona Halep reacts after losing a point to Kiki Bertens during the Western & Southern Open Women's Singles finals match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Kiki Bertens celebrates after winning the second set against Simona Halep in a tiebreak during the Western & Southern Open Women's finals match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Sunday. Albert Cesare/The Enquirer

Kiki Bertens holds the trophy after defeating Simona Halep 2-6, 7-6, 6-2, in the Western & Southern Open Women's finals match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Sunday. Albert Cesare/The Enquirer

Kiki Bertens holds the trophy after defeating Simona Halep 2-6, 7-6, 6-2, in the Western & Southern Open Women's finals match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Sunday. Albert Cesare/The Enquirer

Kiki Bertens holds the trophy after defeating Simona Halep 2-6, 7-6, 6-2, in the Western & Southern Open Women's finals match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Sunday. Albert Cesare/The Enquirer

Simona Halep celebrates after scoring on Kiki Bertens during the Western & Southern Open Women's Singles finals match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Kiki Bertens celebrates after scoring a point on Simona Halep during the Western & Southern Open Women's finals match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Simona Halep celebrates after scoring on Kiki Bertens during the Western & Southern Open Women's Singles finals match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Jamie Murray serves during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Juan Sebastián Cabal reacts to winning a point during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Bruno Soares hits a return shot during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Jamie Murray hits a return shot during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

A fan looks on during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Juan Sebastián Cabal hits a return during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Robert Farah hits a return during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Jamie Murray celebrates with Bruno Soares during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Jamie Murray serves during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Bruno Soares hits a forehand during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Jamie Murray hits a back hand during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Juan Sebastián Cabal hits a volley during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Juan Sebastián Cabal hits a volley during the Western & Southern Open Mens Doubles final match between Juan Sebastián Cabal, Robert Farah and Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Lucie Hradecká high fives Ekaterina Makarova during the Western & Southern Open Women's Doubles Final at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Elise Mertens celebrates a point with teammate Demi Schuurs during the Western & Southern Open Women's Doubles Final at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Lucie Hradeck‡ celebrates after herself and Ekaterina Makarova the Western & Southern Open Women's Doubles Final against E. Mertens and D. Schuurs at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Lucie Hradeck‡ celebrates after herself and Ekaterina Makarova the Western & Southern Open Women's Doubles Final against E. Mertens and D. Schuurs at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Lucie Hradeck‡ embraces Ekaterina Makarova after they won the Western & Southern Open Women's Doubles Final against E. Mertens and D. Schuurs at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Lucie Hradeck‡ speaks as Ekaterina Makarova looks on after they won the Western & Southern Open Women's Doubles Final against E. Mertens and D. Schuurs at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,

Said Djokovic, "He wasn't playing as well as in previous matches this week, but at the same time I thought I was solid. Everything happens really fast on these courts and you have to be alert all the time, especially against Roger."

The Federer-Djokovic match began about 4:50 p.m., 50 minutes behind schedule since the women's final ran late. Unseeded Kiki Bertens began the day on Center Court by upsetting No. 1 Simona Halep 2-6, 7-6, 6-2 to win the women's title.

Federer was the higher seed this past week, but Djokovic won Wimbledon last month and has regained form after some injury problems.

CAREER FIRST: The victory made Djokovic the first player to sweep all nine ATP Masters 1000 events, of which the Western & Southern Open is one. That was the missing piece from what the ATP World Tour has dubbed a "career Golden Masters."

The Golden Masters honor includes sweeping the Masters 1000 events and sweeping the Grand Slam events (Australian, French and U.S. Opens and Wimbledon).

Djokovic has completed his Grand Slam sweep and was only missing a trophy from Cincinnati to complete his set. Such stars as Federer and Rafael Nadal both have won career Grand Slams and Cincinnati titles, but both are missing two other Masters 1000 series wins.

"Definitely one of the great moments of my career," Djokovic said. "I tried not to think about the pressure of making history too much. Coming into today's match wasn't easy psychologically, because I knew I had lost every time I played Roger on this court."

Overall, Sunday marked the 70th career ATP singles title for Djokovic.

HELLO AGAIN: Federer and Djokovic had last met in the 2016 Australian Open semifinals. Djokovic has now won his last three matches against Federer and seven of the last nine.

ACHES AND PAINS: Djokovic's career briefly was derailed by an elbow injury that sidelined him for the latter part of the 2017 season. Djokovic played in the 2018 Australian Open in January but then underwent elbow surgery.

After a brief absence, Djokovic returned and won Wimbledon as the No. 12 seed. As recently as May, Djokovic had sunk to No. 22 in the world rankings.

"I went through a bit of a rollercoaster ride with injuries," Djokovic said. "It seems unreal to be back at this level."

Federer entered Sunday with a 14-match win streak on the Cincinnati hardcourts, dating back to his 2014 and 2015 championships. Federer missed the W&S Open in 2016 and 2017.

Federer on Sunday was denied his 99th career ATP title, but he does have three wins this year, including the Australian Open. Federer is No. 2 to Jimmy Connors (109 wins) on the Open Era victory list, with Ivan Lendl (94) and Nadal (80) next.